Rape accused gets 10-yr jail in 48 working hours' trial

In probably the fastest ever rape trial in the country, the court of additional sessions judge JS Bhinder pronounced the verdict in 48 working hours. The convict, Manu Paswan, was awarded 10 years' imprisonment for raping a minor girl of Phuglana village. Last week, the same court had delivered judgment in another rape case in three days.

The case came up for hearing before the court on February 12. All the witnesses were examined the very next day. February 14 being a local holiday, the court pronounced the judgment on Friday.

Manu Paswan, a native of Bihar, had enticed a 17-year-old girl with prospects of marriage and raped her. He had taken away the girl on September 15, 2012, from her house and kept her at different places. After the girl's father lodged a complaint, Mehtiana police recovered the duo from Attowal village on September 18. The accused said the girl had accompanied him willingly, but the victim stated in the court that she had been taken away forcibly.

Taking in to consideration the prosecutrix's statement and the medical report that confirmed rape, the court convicted Manu Paswan under sections 376, 363 and 366 of IPC. A fine of Rs 60,000 under these sections was also imposed on the accused, half of which, if paid by the convict, would go to the victim. In case he defaults on fine, he would have to undergo imprisonment for another two years.